Nostalgia Bar and Lounge is owned and operated by well-known hashish chef Chris Sayegh of The Natural Chef, and it lately celebrated its opening in late February in Santa Monica, California.
Meals has all the time been part of Chris Sayegh’s life. From his youthful experiences internet hosting cooking competitions in his mother and father’ yard to his private discovery of hashish whereas finding out molecular cell biology and physiology on the College of California, Santa Cruz, Sayegh’s affect on the culinary infusion of hashish into effective eating is known. His firm, The Natural Chef, has been elevating the bar of hashish meals exponentially since its inception in 2013. He spoke with Excessive Occasions within the February 2022 problem about his first experiences with hashish, and the way it led to the place he’s in the present day.
“Hashish deserves to be acknowledged because the superfood it’s and plated with different meals,” Sayegh advised Excessive Occasions. “It’s well beyond time for diners to be enlightened so far. In my thoughts, hashish is simply one other meals on the desk with the added bonus of inducing happiness. My crew and I witness this each time we feed our visitors. It’s not rocket science, it’s the science of meals that uplift and heal.”
Sayegh’s values have led to the creation of Nostalgia Bar and Lounge, a 21+ venue that doesn’t provide infused meals, however does provide all kinds of distinctive menu objects, reside music, and better of all, attractive CBD- and terpene-infused cocktails.
The menu will change usually throughout every season, as in response to Sayegh’s and Chef Jared Ventura’s present inspirations, to current elevated dishes which might be impressed by childhood meals favorites. The present choices embody Branzino Fish & Chips, Lobster Roll with Caviar, Dry Aged Porterhouse Burger infused with Wagyu Fats, Kobe Toast and Seasonal Trifles.
Again in 2018, hashish cocktails have been banned by the Los Angeles Well being Division till Assembly Bill 45 was handed—and legalized CBD in meals, drinks, cosmetics and dietary dietary supplements, as of October 2021. Now Nostalgia will carry again the infused cocktails once more with an “Enchanted Tiki Whip” (a play off the favored Dole Whip all through Disney theme parks), “WooHoo” (impressed by YooHoo Chocolate Milk) and “How Many Licks” (with flavors that mimic that of a Tootsie Pop). Higher but, any drink might be infused with CBD or terpenes upon request as properly.
Nostalgia can also be the venue the place the “Secret Supper Club”—a restricted, non-public members-only “speakeasy”—is held. The Natural Chef shared that it will be bringing the occasion again on April 4. The Secret Supper Membership initially started in 2020, “in response to guidelines & laws that decimated the Meals Service Business and proceed to criminalize the usage of plant medicines,” the Secret Supper Membership states on The Natural Chef web site. The membership invitations 10-20 members to get pleasure from a 12-course meal, together with infused cocktails and wine pairings.
“Every plate is expertly dosed in response to private tolerance thresholds—our purpose is to accent every dish with hashish. We take each precaution to by no means go away our visitors feeling overwhelmed, however when you’d wish to journey the celebs—we’re very happy to accommodate.” Cooks Sayegh and Ventura agree that the inspiration behind the Secret Supper Membership is to have a good time hashish infusions.
“The Secret Supper Membership menu is about having a completely built-in Hashish Hospitality expertise for our members and at its core, wonderful meals and beverage,” The Natural Chef advised Excessive Occasions.
With loads of plans for reside music and plenty of pleasure to observe Nostalgia’s circulating menu choices, we’re excited to see what this bar and lounge continues to supply locals and guests to Santa Monica, California sooner or later.